T-Mobile has abandoned all of its programs for diversity, equity and inclusion. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the telecom said that it “is ending its DEI-related policies […] not just in name, but in substance.”
T-Mobile conveniently waited to dismantle its DEI efforts until it was awaiting FCC approval for two major deals. The company needs regulatory backing to purchase extensive assets from United States Cellular in a deal valued at $4.4 billion. It’s also looking to establish a joint venture with investment firm KKR that will acquire internet provider Metronet.
Reuters reported that FCC Chair Brendan Carr reacted positively to this change in a text message to the publication: “This is another good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and the public interest.” Carr was appointed to the top spot at the FCC by President Donald Trump. One of the remaining democratic commissioners at the agency, Anna M. Gomez, was more scathing of T-Mobile’s “cynical” reversal of its policies. She said on X that the telecom’s capitulation to the current administration was “making a mockery of its professed commitment to eliminating discrimination, promoting fairness, and amplifying underrepresented voices.”
T-Mobile isn’t the first to bail on its DEI commitments in order to gain FCC approval. In May, the regulators approved Verizon’s $20 million merger with Frontier only after the company agreed to end DEI programs.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/t-mobile-ends-dei-programs-in-attempt-to-win-deal-approvals-from-the-fcc-202239612.html?src=rss